Archive By Section - Local News

Oakdale City Council had a full agenda for its Sept. 6 meeting. The city introduced a code amendment that would establish a system for entering development agreements with developers of large projects in Oakdale. They also held a first reading of a proposed development agreement between the City of Oakdale and Trieste Investors LCC, which would lock the city into a 10-year agreement for a 155-unit housing project on East F Street.

Following a closed session as part of a special Monday night meeting, Sept. 12, Oakdale City Council members reported that they are taking action to investigate perceived impropriety involving city employees. Interim City Manager Gregory Wellman made the report after closed session on Tuesday night. He said that "absolutely no conclusions have been reached" regarding any allegations. However, the council directed Wellman to investigate concerns raised regarding the business venture between Vizina, Hallam, Hallinan and West.

Oakdale firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) were honored with a ceremony and barbecue at the Lighthouse Baptist Church on Sunday, Sept. 11 called "Heroes Appreciation Sunday." The event to recognize the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and to honor local heroes was organized by the church with several in-kind donations from local businesses as well as financial and food donations made by members of the congregation.

Directors of Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District (SCFPD) have agreed to help the depleted forces of the Oakdale City and Oakdale Rural fire departments by hiring a part-time Chief Officer to lead fire and rescue operations in the Oakdale area and providing some administrative help by the SCFPD Chief.

The City of Oakdale does not have a public river access and boat launching area, and members of the Citizens' Action Committee hope to remedy that. Five members of the Citizen's Action Committee formed the River Access Working Group to study options for a publicly owned and maintained river access and boat launch area. They made a presentation to Oakdale City Council on Sept. 6 with information on the current lack of river access and what they hope to see in Oakdale's future.

The Oakdale City and Oakdale Rural fire departments are going to get some help from Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District (SCFPD) with operations and administration. Due to the retirements of local fire officials and budget cuts that have reduced the size of the fire fighting force, the SCFPD and the fire departments are looking for viable options to operate.

An investigative services company created by the current police chief, legal counsel, director of human resources, and a former city manager has raised ethical and legal questions, spurring an internal investigation into the ramification of such an action by current city employees in top administrative positions.

Danny Huestis, Certified Prosthetist with Pacific Orthotics and Prosthetics, knows a thing or two when it comes to prosthetics that comes from more than just training - he's been wearing a prosthetic since he became an amputee at five years old.

West Side Mosquito abatement district is warning northern Stanislaus County residents to be aware of the risks of West Nile Virus. There have been five reported cases of West Nile Virus in humans in Stanislaus County this summer, and four of those cases required hospitalization.

Possible annexations were the topic of discussion at the Sept. 6 regular meeting of the Oakdale Irrigation District Board of Directors. Following a presentation by OID General Manager Steve Knell about the effect of water sales and how the district might proceed with annexations, the board heard comments and fielded questions from several farmers who have interest in annexing to the district or in having long-term out-of-district water contracts.

Oakdale Planning Commission members voted 5-0 on Wednesday to recommend a development agreement between the City of Oakdale and Trieste Investors LCC, which would allow Trieste to build 155 new residences in Oakdale.

Lighthouse Baptist Church of Oakdale is hosting a 'Heroes Appreciation Sunday' for the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The coordinated attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and on the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia just outside Washington DC, resulted in the deaths of thousands of Americans, both on the planes and in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and among the emergency services personnel that rushed to the rescue.

Citing the end of his five-year commitment and a desire to spend more time with family, Oakdale Police Chief Marty West gave official notice Wednesday, Aug. 30 to the city that he was saying goodbye to the department.

The City of Oakdale is going green, thanks in part to a $100,000 stimulus grant from the federal government that will allow the city to replace energy-sucking streetlights with energy-efficient green technology.

Articles by Section - Local News

The Bureau of Reclamation reports that, due to continued dry conditions, the initial 2015 water supply allocation released on Feb. 27 for Central Valley Project agricultural contractors and municipal and industrial contractors remains unchanged.

Jessica's Law authors George and Sharon Runner have responded to the recent decision by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to stop enforcing Jessica's Law residency restrictions statewide:

The Oakdale Cowboy Museum is proud to announce the 2015 Lowell C. "Doc" Dorius scholarship award to graduating high school seniors in the greater Oakdale area. This scholarship fund is in memory of Lowell C. "Doc" Dorius D.V.M. "Doc" had a passion for his profession and specialized in treatment of beef cattle and herd management. He took joy in mentoring young men and women on the care of cattle and they spent many hours with him making calls. A memorial scholarship was established through the Oakdale Cowboy Museum by friends and family after his passing in July of ...

With California in its third drought year, the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce's 42nd Annual Ag Scholarship Luncheon on March 19 brought in known attorney, Valerie Kinkaid, to discuss its chosen topic, "Three Major Threats to Water Rights."

With the recent shoot-down of "Pioneer Perfect," the Oakdale Tourism and Visitor's Bureau decided to finally "embrace" "Cowboy Capital of the World" as it continues its mission to develop and promote tourism for the City of Oakdale.

With the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation planning to release significant water flows down the Stanislaus River during a time of continued drought in the area, the City of Oakdale took a stand and opposed the agency's planned actions, expressing serious concerns with its 2015 Drought Contingency Plan.

Audience members waited with bated breath as Oakdale Police Chief Lester Jenkins carefully formulated his answer on whether or not he personally believed that security personnel should be authorized to carry concealed weapons on school campuses.

The glass appears to be half full as the Oakdale High School Aca Dec Team now heads to the state championships. As a result of winning the 35th Annual Stanislaus County Academic Decathlon, the team will represent Stanislaus County at the state level. The event will be hosted in Sacramento March 19 through 22.

Wearing a cowboy hat to reinforce his point, Oakdale City Manager Bryan Whitemyer pioneered the Monday, March 16 Oakdale City Council meeting, telling everyone that at no time the city was ever considering changing its 'Cowboy Capital' motto (see related story on this page).

City of Oakdale residents have long felt recognition and pride with the city's motto of "Cowboy Capital of the World" but when the Oakdale Travel and Visitors Bureau introduced a marketing slogan of "Pioneer Perfect," many residents expressed outrage, calling for the city and OTVB not to meddle with something already in place.

Following an afternoon press release by the City of Oakdale stating it had been "rumored" that the city was considering changing its slogan and had no intentions of doing so, the Oakdale Tourism and Visitors Bureau sent out its own Friday night statement that it would forego the launch of "Pioneer Perfect" and embrace the city's original motto "Cowboy Capital of the World."